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Night Dental Guards: An Orthodontist’s Advice on How to Choose
Night dental guards protect enamel against bruxism, stabilize teeth after orthodontic treatment, correct certain snoring issues, and can even, under specific conditions, straighten minor misalignments thanks to invisible aligners. Choosing the right guard involves understanding its purpose (protection, retention, alignment, sleep), the required level of customization (standard thermoformable or custom-made in-office), wear constraints (8 to 22 hours per day), and the highly variable budget: from around twenty euros at a pharmacy to several thousand for a complete aligner treatment. Regardless, rigorous hygiene, regular professional follow-up, and the combination of a guard and a retention wire remain essential. In this regard, a retention wire made of PEEK, such as that offered by eZtain Lab, provides an advantage: its biocompatible and translucent material enhances long-term stability without visible metal.
Introduction
Today, the night dental guard has become a discreet and frequently recommended solution in contemporary oral care. The night guard serves both medical purposes — limiting bruxism or correcting minor misalignments — and protecting enamel and improving nocturnal comfort; it is available in flexible or rigid versions depending on your needs.
Its primary objective remains protection: safeguarding enamel, relieving jaw muscles, and preventing micro-fissures caused by grinding. In parallel, the device is also available to ensure post-treatment follow-up by limiting orthodontic relapse.
Because it is considered a healthcare act, it benefits from a strict framework: written prescription, potential partial reimbursement, and regular check-ups at a dental clinic.
In this article, you will discover all the use cases for orthodontic guards, possible manufacturing methods, the medical issues they address, and for each situation, the most suitable type of guard.
Why Wear Night Guards?
A night dental guard limits wear due to bruxism, keeps teeth aligned after braces, relieves certain snoring issues by slightly advancing the jaw, and, when in the form of invisible aligners worn only at night, can correct minor overlaps.
Specifically, it plays four main roles:
1. Protecting Enamel and the Jaw Joint (TMJ)
Nocturnal bruxism — involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep — can exert up to 200 kg of pressure per square centimeter, equivalent to a heavy bag placed on a single tooth. Under these stresses, enamel erodes, fillings crack, and the hinge between the jaw and the skull, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), becomes irritated. A custom-made rigid occlusal splint acts as a shield: it fits between the arches, distributes force, and relaxes muscles, thus offering welcome relief to the jaw.
2. Stabilizing Orthodontic Results
After the removal of braces or aligners, the tissues connecting the teeth to the gums and bone tend to gently “pull” the teeth back to their former position.
Wearing a transparent guard every night, in addition to a white and PEEK biocompatible retention wire, ensures the necessary wear duration without visible metal or interference with MRIs.
3. Improving Nocturnal Breathing
Mandibular advancement splints, consisting of two coupled guards, advance the mandible by 3–6 mm, freeing the pharynx; efficacy is measured by a reduction in snoring and an increase in oxygenation scores. Gradual adjustment under clinical supervision optimizes comfort.
4. Correcting Minor Overlaps
Invisible aligners, such as Invisalign or Dr Smile, are actually a series of small guards that are successively worn to move teeth step by step. Worn 22 hours a day, or only at night in some versions, they gradually straighten the smile without braces or metal wires. Regular follow-up with the practitioner every two to three months allows verification that the teeth are moving as planned and prevents them from returning to their former position.
In Summary
Adopting a night dental guard thus addresses four concrete issues: maintaining intact enamel, keeping teeth straight, preserving respiratory comfort, and, if necessary, finalizing minor realignment. In each case, the choice of material (rigid acrylic, thermoformed polycarbonate), custom-made adjustment, and adherence to daily hygiene instructions determine the success of the treatment.
What is the Price of a Night Dental Guard?
Depending on the model, a night dental guard costs between €20 and €5,000. A rather wide range (we realize this as much as you do 🙂 ), but one that makes perfect sense when detailed. Expect to pay €20 to €50 for a standard thermoformable guard, €150 to €300 for a rigid custom-made guard by the dentist, partially reimbursed by Social Security, €200–€500 for a retention guard, and €1,600–€5,000 for a complete night dental aligner program.
1. Standard Model: The Stopgap Solution
The pharmacy kit, molded at home, remains the least expensive option: €20–€50. Made of
2. Custom-Made Rigid Occlusal Splint
For individuals who clench their teeth strongly at night, the dentist can create a rigid resin guard, custom-made from an impression or a scan of the mouth in a dental laboratory.
Usual Price: €150–€300.
Health Insurance reimburses 70% of a base of €172.80 (code LBQK030); supplementary insurance often covers the rest. The advantages? A custom-made fit, muscle relief, and an average durability of 18 months.
Similar to the standard model, the rigid occlusal splint is not intended to correct tooth position: it is a functional device designed to reduce muscular and joint pain related to bruxism and to preserve dental structures. It differs from invisible aligners, which fall under corrective orthodontic treatment with aesthetic and functional aims.
3. Post-Orthodontic Retention Guard
Formed from a translucent thermoformed sheet, it stabilizes the alignment achieved after braces.
Cost: €200–€500, to be renewed every 3 years, not covered by health insurance after age 16.
At the end of orthodontic treatment, practitioners often provide a quote that includes the retention guard or the PEEK retention wire: Both systems share many common features related to comfort and aesthetics.
The retention guard, although often seen as less invasive, still suffers from its recurring cost (with an average change every 10 to 18 months) and its high rate of non-compliance, with nearly 90% of users stopping wear after 3 years, compromising the benefits of orthodontic treatment.
4. Mandibular Advancement Splint
For snorers and those with mild sleep apnea, two interconnected rigid splints slightly advance the lower jaw to prevent it from receding during sleep, which keeps the airways clear and facilitates nocturnal breathing.
Price: €600–€900.
ENT follow-up is a prerequisite for reimbursement: Prior approval is mandatory, but the benefits are substantial. Notably, a measurable improvement in sleep quality and a reduction in apnea scores are observed.
5. Invisible Aligners (Day or Night)
A complete treatment with invisible aligners, supervised by an orthodontist or offered via a remote platform, costs between €1,600 and €5,000 depending on the complexity of the case.
The price includes initial impressions, the series of guards to be changed every few weeks, follow-up appointments, and sometimes the final retention guard or wire.
No reimbursement is provided by Social Security for adults, but most practitioners offer installment payments over several months.
Clinical tip: always request a detailed quote specifying the wear duration, check-ups, and any finishing aligners. The initial cost does not necessarily cover the re-fabrication of a night dental guard in case of loss. As part of an aligner program, check what retention options are provided. Although guards are very effective for correction, they are much less so as retention guards.
How to Sleep with a Night Guard?
Gradually introduce the night dental guard one hour before bedtime, check its fit, ensure daily hygiene, and stay hydrated; within two weeks, most patients no longer feel it.
1. Adaptation Phase (First to Tenth Night)
- Wear the device 60 minutes before lying down; this is the time needed for the brain to assimilate the new sensation.
- Perform five slow opening and closing movements to relax the masseter muscles.
- If salivation increases, simply swallow; this reflex quickly fades thereafter.
2. Perfect Fit = Comfort
A custom-made night dental guard should neither pinch the gums nor move. In case of a pressure point on the
3. Daily Hygiene
A soft brush and neutral soap are needed every morning, rinsing under lukewarm water, then drying before storing the guard in its ventilated case completes the cleaning routine.
Weekly effervescent cleaning removes plaque; at all costs, avoid abrasive toothpaste, which scratches the resin.
4. Managing Side Effects
In case of dry mouth during the night, simply keep a glass of water within reach.
If you experience jaw stiffness upon waking, a few gentle opening and closing movements for about thirty seconds are often enough to relax the joint.
Finally, if your guard shows signs of wear after about a year — small cracks, thinned areas, or loss of retention — consult your dentist: an overly old guard protects your teeth less effectively.
5. Compatibility with PEEK Retention Wire
The PEEK retention wire does not hinder the insertion of the guard; it primarily acts as a backup if you forget the device one night. Together, they offer daily comfort and lasting alignment without requiring extreme discipline.
Clinical Case: Claire, 32, severe bruxism: after 14 days of habituation, she no longer experiences morning migraines and notes a clear improvement in her sleep quality. Her semi-annual follow-up shows a complete absence of additional dental wear.
Are Night Aligners Effective for Straightening Teeth?
Yes, but only for minor alignment issues, such as slightly rotated teeth or a small gap between two teeth (called a diastema).
With 8-10 hours of nocturnal wear, however, correction is 30-50% slower than with 22 hours/day, and the treatment requires even more rigorous clinical follow-up.
Treatment with an “aligning” night dental guard relies on the same biomechanical principles as an invisible aligner: The goal is to exert gentle and continuous force to gradually move the teeth until they fit together correctly when the mouth closes.
But the stability of the movement depends on the wear duration, and below the 20-hour threshold, periodontal fibers relax during the day, and the tooth “regresses”. “Night-only” brands compensate by using a more rigid resin; as a result, teeth still move, but twice as slowly.
When Can Night Aligners Work?
- For minor overlaps (slightly crowded front teeth, less than 2 mm).
- For a small gap between two teeth (called a diastema, less than 2 mm).
- In the case of slight relapse after previous orthodontic treatment, if the jaw is generally well-balanced.
When Are They Not Suitable?
- In case of bruxism (grinding or clenching teeth at night), as this can break the guards.
- If teeth lack too much space and require interproximal reduction to create space.
- If no regular dental check-up (X-ray or scan) is planned to monitor the roots.
How Does the Treatment Proceed?
- The dentist performs a 3D simulation and takes a digital impression of your mouth.
- You wear your aligners every night for 8 to 10 hours; depending on the brands and support provided, you may be asked to send progress photos.
- An in-office check-up is performed approximately every three months to ensure everything is progressing well and to change the series of guards if necessary.
How Long Should a Dental Guard Be Worn?
The wear duration of a guard depends entirely on its role.
- An occlusal splint intended to protect against the effects of bruxism must be worn every night as long as the jaw muscles remain overly contracted — in other words, as long as you continue to clench or grind your teeth in your sleep.
- The retention guard, on the other hand, is used after orthodontic treatment to keep teeth securely in place. It is worn every night, generally after having a fixed wire for two years, and often for life to ensure smile stability.
- Finally, invisible aligners require stricter discipline: they are worn 22 hours a day, usually for a period of 6 to 24 months. Once treatment is complete, a new retention phase takes over, with a retention splint or a PEEK wire fixed behind the teeth to permanently stabilize the result.
Applications & Target Audiences
| Application | Audience | Device | Key Benefit |
| Bruxism | Adults with natural bruxism, athletes | Rigid Occlusal Splint | Enamel protection, jaw muscle relaxation. |
| Retention | Adolescents over 16 & adults | PEEK wire + splint | Stable long-term alignment |
| Mild snoring | Snorers, | Bi-splint orthosis | Improves sleep quality |
| Aesthetic alignment | Active individuals 25-45 | Invisible aligners | Discreet correction & social comfort |
Types & materials for your night splint
Dental night splints do not all use the same material or manufacturing process; understanding these differences helps in choosing the right model.
Custom-made vs. thermoformable
- Custom-made: after a digital or conventional impression, the splint is milled or vacuum thermo-pressed to within 0.1 mm. The result? Optimal comfort, a perfect fit, and improved longevity.
- Thermoformable: you heat the EVA strip, bite into it, and it hardens in place. An economical and immediate solution, but with greater thickness and limited adjustments.
Common Materials
- Rigid acrylic: ideal for moderate to severe bruxism. Its hardness allows for precise occlusal adjustment and an average durability of 18 months.
- Transparent polycarbonate / polyurethane: thinner, almost invisible; it is the classic choice for retention splints and aligners.
- Soft EVA: flexible material for sports mouthguards or standard pharmacy splints; comfortable but wears out quickly.
- PEEK (polyether ether ketone): high-performance polymer, translucent, 100% biocompatible, and metal-free. Used by eZtain Lab for retention wires and splints, it is also beginning to be used for some thin rigid plates: no MRI interference, excellent resistance, and easy maintenance.
Product Comparison & Advantages
| Product | Price | Reimbursement | Longevity | Key Advantage |
| Pharmacy thermoformable | €30 | €0 | 3-6 months | Instant accessibility |
| Clinic occlusal splint | €250 | 70% base €172 | 18 months | Precise adjustment, less pain |
| Retention splint | €300 | €0 | 12 months | Thin, almost invisible |
| PEEK eZtain wire | Upon quote | Included in ortho package | 3-5 years | White, metal-free, easy maintenance |
| Custom OAM | €800 | Pre-approval | 24 months | Snoring reduction > 70% |
| Invisible aligners | €3,500 | €0 | 6-24 months | Minor Alignment |
Receive advice from Dr. Philippides on retention wire
Conclusion
When chosen and maintained correctly, the dental night splint protects your enamel, stabilizes your smile, and improves your breathing. Its effectiveness relies on three pillars: a material suited to your use, rigorous daily maintenance, and regular professional follow-up. After orthodontic treatment, the combination of a night splint + PEEK retention wire today offers the most discreet and reliable retention.